Gauging system for vehicle alignment equipment

ABSTRACT

An improved measuring system for use in combination with vehicle repair equipment includes a pair of transverse bars mounted at a fixed position in space relative to the vehicle with a longitudinally extending and laterally movable bar assembly attached by sliding brackets to the transverse bars. Additional longitudinal bars are attached to the opposite ends of the transverse bars. Supplemental measuring equipment is attachable to all of the bars in order to effect point to point measurements on a vehicle in order that the point to point measurements may be compared with known standards.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 787,963, filed Oct. 16,1985 now patent No. 4731936.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus for measuring the location ofreference points on a damaged vehicle and for determining the extent ofdeviation of such reference points from set or known standards.

Various apparatus or equipment are known for correcting misalignment ofvehicles and for returning frame and body members of vehicles back totheir predamaged locations. Equipment of this nature is utilized bypersonnel in body shops and other service and repair shops. Typical ofsuch equipment is the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,630,066entitled "Apparatus for Returning Vehicle Body and Frame Components toTheir Original Locations During Repair and Servicing of Vehicles",issued Dec. 28, 1971, and Reissue Patent No. 31,636 entitled "Auto Bodyand Frame Straightening Device", reissued July 1, 1984 on a patentissued June 10, 1975. Both of the referenced patents are incorporatedherewith by reference.

The effective use of such equipment in the process of applying pullingforces to a vehicle body is enhanced by various gauging and measuringsystems that provide an indication of the magnitude of misalignment ordeviation of the component parts of the vehicle body to an operator ofthe alignment equipment. There are many such measuring systems that havebeen disclosed in prior art patents including the following:

    ______________________________________                                        U.S.                                                                          Pat. No.                                                                             Inventor  Title             Issue Date                                 ______________________________________                                        3,869,804                                                                            Friend    Vehicle Frame Alignment                                                                         3/11/75                                                     Gage                                                         4,165,567                                                                            Olsson    Checking and Measurement                                                                        8/28/79                                                     Device for Automotive                                                         Chassis                                                      4,207,681                                                                            Bayorgeon,                                                                              Vehicle Measuring Bridge                                                                        6/17/80                                           et al                                                                  4,302,883                                                                            MacGregor Vehicle Frame, Body and                                                                         12/1/81                                                     Wheel Alignment Gauge                                        4,342,154                                                                            Legrand   Measuring Bridge  8/3/82                                     4,366,624                                                                            Bergstrom Arrangement for Benches                                                                         1/4/83                                                      for Measuring and                                                             Straightening Vehicles                                       4,479,305                                                                            Wendl,    Measuring Bridge  10/30/84                                          et al                                                                  4,490,918                                                                            Clausen   Vehicle Frame Measure-                                                                          1/1/85                                                      ment Device                                                  4,513,508                                                                            Jarman,   Vehicle Body and Frame                                                                          4/30/85                                           et al     Measuring Device                                             4,523,384                                                                            Giacomini Method and Apparatus for                                                                        6/18/85                                                     Measuring Deviations in                                                       Vehicle Bodies or Frames                                     ______________________________________                                    

Typically, the prior art patents disclose a framework which is attachedto a vehicle body or to a platform which supports a vehicle body. Theframework includes various scales and associated slidable or fixedpointers thereon. The points may be aligned with selected referencepoints of the vehicle body. The distance between a selected referencepoint and a fixed, know reference point is then measured. If themeasured distance varies from known specifications, then the selectedreference point is not in the required or standard position. Framestraightening equipment may then be utilized to bend and reform thevehicle body and thereby move the selected reference point to itsrequired or standard position.

The prior art patents generally teach various types or arrays ofpointers which are directed or positioned over the selected referencepoints. Relative differences in the position of the pointers can beutilized to gauge or measure the position of reference points.Additionally, such apparatus may include slidable members or auxiliarygauges which are attached to the framework in a position which permitsmeasurement of reference points at the side and top of a vehicle.

While such measuring systems have proven to be useful, they requiresignificant time to be properly attached to a vehicle. Additionally,many systems are cumbersome because of their multiple component parts.Many measuring systems are limited in their application to certainvehicles because of the particular size or construction of the frameworkof the measuring system.

Many systems utilize light or laser beams in combination with theframework in order to effect measuring of reference points. Some ofthese systems have proven to be expensive or fragile.

Thus, a need has remained for an improved apparatus for measuring orgauging the location of selected reference points on a vehicleparticularly an apparatus which can be used easily in combination withvarious types of equipment for straightening of bodies or frames ofvehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly the present invention compriss an improved sytem or apparatusfor measuring the location of selected reference points on a vehiclerelative to selected or standard datum planes or other reference pointson the vehicle.

The system preferably includes a pair of transverse or lateral barswhich are affixed to the vehicle or to a platform supporting thevehicle. The bars are aligned transverse to the longitudinal axis of thevehicle and are horizontally spaced from one another. A longitudinallyextending measuring bar member extends generally parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the vehicle and is attached by roller brackets toboth of the transverse members for sliding movement parallel to thelongitudinal axis. At least one reference point position indicator isattached to the longitudinally extending measuring bar member and ispreferably slidable on the longitudinal measuring bar member. Scales areprovided on all the bar members. By moving the slidably mountedlongitudinally extending measuring bar member as well as the referencepoint indicator, it is possible to measure with great precision theposition of various reference points on the vehicle relative to oneanother and relative to selected or standard datum planes. Furtherattachments including longitudinal bars may be attached to thetransverse bars in order to enhance the structural integrity of themeasuring system and provide support for additional reference pointindicators and measuring apparatus.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved measuringsystem for locating selected reference points on a vehicle and forindicating the position of such reference points with respect to othersuch reference points on the vehicle or with respect to standard datumplanes associated with the vehicle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedapparatus for measuring the location of reference points on the vehiclewhich can be easily incorporated for use with vehicle straighteningequipment.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatusor system for measuring the location of selected reference points on avehicle that incorporates a pair of fixed transverse bars and a slidablyattached longitudinal bar mounted on the transverse bars.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an improvedapparatus for measuring the location of selected reference points on avehicle which is easily assembled and disassembled, which has a ruggedconstruction, which provides an immediate indication of selectedpositions and reference points, and which is economical.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedapparatus for measuring the location of selected reference points on avehicle which is easy to use and which can be operated in anexceptionally fast manner, which is unobtrusive and which does notinterfere with frame straightening equipment when used in combinationwith such equipment, and which has the fewest number of parts whileproviding a means for locating the maximum number of selected referencepoints.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention willbe set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to thedrawing comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved measuring apparatus of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the improved measuring apparatus of theinvention incorporated with and positioned on vehicle framestraightening equipment;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a vehicle support clampassociated with frame straightening equipment and an attached transversebar associated with the measuring apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the slidable longitudinalmeasuring bar member of the apparatus for measuring;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the longitudinal measuring barmember;

FIG. 6 is a side view similar to FIG. 5 wherein exemplary referencepoint indicators have been translated or moved with respect to theposition shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a crosss sectional view of the longitudinally extendingmeasuring bar member shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of the longitudinally extendingmeasuring bar member of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of a fixed longitudinal bar memberattached to the transverse or lateral bars.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The measuring system of the invention comprises a number of linear framemembers which are interconnected in a unique fashion to provide a meansfor measuring the location of various reference points on a vehicle.FIGS. 1 and 2 depict the overall construction of the measuring system orapparatus. In FIG. 1 the system is depicted as a free standing frameworkseparate and apart from vehicle straightening equipment. In FIG. 2, themeasuring system of FIG. 1 is depicted in combination with vehicle framestraightening equipment and with a vehicle shown in phantom with respectto the measuring system. The remaining figures depict various detailsand features of the overall system depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2.

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the meauring system of the invention iscomprised of a first or rear transverse bar or lateral bar 10 which,when in use, is arranged or positioned so that it will be substantiallyperpendicular to a vertical plane 12. Plane 12 defines or includes alongitudinal axis 14. The vertical plane 12 and the longitudinal axis 14are oriented with the longitudinal center line axis of a vehicle 15.Plane 12 and axis 14 are defined merely for purposes of explanation ofthe invention and are defined relative to a vehicle 15 which is mountedon frame straightening equipment 17 for repair.

A second transverse bar 16 is horizontally spaced from the firsttransverse bar 10 and arranged substantially parallel thereto. Thus, thesecond transverse bar 16 likewise is perpendicular to and intersects thevertical plane 12 and is also transverse to the longitudinal axis 14.The first transverse bar 10 and second transverse bar 16 define agenerally horizontal plane 18 which may be referenced as a datum ordatum plane 18.

It is known that a vehicle 15 and more particularly the body or frame ofa vehicle for every model and make of vehicle has a number of referencepoints which are measured with respect to one another and with respectto a horizontal base or datum plane as well as with respect to variousvertical planes through the vehicle. Vertical plane 19 in FIG. 2 as wellas plane 12 may serve as vertical datum planes for a vehicle. Typicallythese measurements are in millimeters and are published in referencematerials available to vehicle repairmen.

Each bar 10 and 16 includes a midpoint 20 and 22, respectively with anassociated removable pin 21, 23 at the midpoint projecting vertically.The bars 10 and 16 are substantially equal in length and include a tapemeasure with scales thereon for determining the transverse distance fromthe respective midpoint 20, 22 in inches, centimeters or millimeters.Preferably a scale is provided on each side of each of the bars 10 and16.

Each transverse bar 10 and 16 is supported in space substantiallyrigidly by an appropriate pair of spaced brackets. Thus, spaced brackets24 and 26 support transverse bar 10. Spaced brackets 28 and 30 supporttransverse bar 16. Each bracket 24, 26, 28 and 30 is adjustably mountedon the respective bars 10 and 16, and each bracket 24, 26, 28, 30 isadjustable with respect to its connection from the associated bar 10 and16 to a vehicle 15 or platform 80. Thus, the bars 10, 12 are supportedin space at two spaced positions each of which is adjustable and hasthree degrees of freedom; i.e., along an x, y and z axis through theposition. The amount of adjustment is indicated by various linear scleson the brackets 24, 26, 28, 30 or bars 10, 16 in the x, y and zdirection associated with the adjustment mechanisms.

In review, the brackets 24, 26, 28, 30 may be spaced a desired distancefrom one another on the transverse bars 10 and 16, and the attachment ofthe brackets 24, 26, 28, 30 to some structure such as a vehicle 15, aplatform 80, or a clamp attached to a vehicle 15 is adjustable in orderto thereby adjust the position in space of the transverse bars 10 and16. In this manner, the transverse bars 10 and 16 may be aligned withrespect to one another and with respect to various reference points andplanes, i.e. 12, 14, 18 to which the bars 10, 16 are positioned by meansof the brackets 24, 26, 28, 30. The transverse bars 10 and 16 define asubstantially horizontal plane which may be a datum plane 18 or a plane18 which is parallel to a datum plane as defined by printed referenceworks.

A longitudinally extending bar or member 32 is supported by rollerbrackets 34 and 36 on the transverse bars 10 and 16. The longitudinalbar 32 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 14. The roller brackets 34and 36 support the longitudinal bar 32 while maintaining thelongitudinal bar 32 at perpendicular or right angles to the transversebars 10 and 16. The roller brackets 34, 36 permit the longitudinal bar32 to move laterally in either direction from the vertical plane 12. Theamount of lateral movement can be measured by means of the scalespreviously described.

Position indicators such as position indicator 38 may be mounted on thelongitudinal bar or member 32. Indicator 38 is slidable on bar 32 in thelongitudinal direction. The longitudinal bar 32 preferably includes asecondary bar 33 telescoped into the bar 32. Another indicator 40 isattached to the end of the telescoped bar 33 and moves therewith. Theposition indicators 38 and 40 may be aligned with appropriate referencepoints on a vehicle and then the spacing between those reference pointsin the longitudinal direction can be determined. A unique tape measuringsystem is associated with the bars 32, 33 to provide measurementsbetween the points on the separate bars 32, 33.

The position indicators 38 and 40 may include scaled pointers or rods 42and 44 which provide a measure of the distance from the longitudinal bar32 vertically upward or at any angle from that bar 32. This provides anindication of the distance of a reference point from the datum plane orhorizontal plane 18.

First and second additional longitudinal bars 46 and 48 are attached byclamps 50, 52, 54 and 56 to the outside ends of the transverse bars 10and 16. Thus, an additional straight longitudinal bar 46 is fastened toone outside edge or end of the first and second transverse bars 10 and16 by means of clamps 50 and 52. The longitudinal bar 46 is parallel tothe longitudinal axis 14 and is rigidly connected to the transverse bars10, 16 to define right angles therewith. The longitudinal bar 46 thusfacilitates stabilization of the measuring frame. Further, supplementarymeasuring apparatus may be attached to the longitudinal bar 46 formeasuring additional reference points on the vehicle.

The second longitudinal bar 48 is rigidly attached to the opposite sideof the transverse bars 10 and 16 by clamps 54 and 56. The transversebars 10 and 16 and longitudinal bars 46 and 48 define a rectangularframe which may be suspended from or attached to a vehicle 15 or aplatform 80 for support of a vehicle 15 which is to be straightened byvehicle straightening equipment 17.

Supplemental measuring apparatus may be slidably attached to thelongitudinal bars 46 and 48. For example, a vertical measuring bar 58may be attached by an adjustable clamp 60 to the longitudinal bar 46.The vertical measuring bar 58 includes scales thereon for measuring thevertical distance above the datum base 18 defined by the transverse bars10 and 16. A sliding clamp 62 may be attached to the measuring bar 58with an additional pointer 64 having scales thereon for alignment withvehicle reference points.

A pair of vertical measuring bars 66 and 68 situated in opposed relationon the parallel, spaced longitudinal bars 46 and 48 may support slidingclamps 72 and 74 that retain a transverse, scaled measuring rod 70.Additional sliding clamps such as clamp 76 on measuring rod 70 with anadjustable pointer 78 may be utilized to further locate positions abovethe datum plane 18 and relative to vertical planes such as planes 12 and19 as well as axis 14.

As can be seen by reference to FIG. 2, with the measuring apparatus ofthe present invention, it is possible to position various pointers withany reference point on a vehicle attached to a mounting platform 80.Thus a vehicle 15 may be supported on a platform 80 by support clamps84. A vehicle support clamp 84 of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No.4,344,314 issued Aug. 17, 1982 for an Alignment Apparatus may be used.U.S. Pat. No. 3,344,314 is incorporated herewith by reference. Platform80 is, in the embodiment depicted, associated with frame straighteningequipment of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,630,066 and ReissueNo. 31,636.

The measuring framework depicted in FIG. 1 can then be attached to theplatform 80 or to vehicle 15 at known reference points or to the supportclamps 84. The brackets 24, 26, 28 and 30 serve as the means forattaching the measuring framework or system to either the platform 80,vehicle 15, or support clamps 84. Various reference points on thevehicle 82 can then be measured with respect to the horizontal plane ordatum 18, as well as the vertical plane 12 or axis 14 or with respect toone another or with respect to various transverse vertical planes 19 forwhich reference book data is available.

In practice, the datum plane 18, vertical planes 12 and 19, and axis 14are associated with a vehicle 15. Thus, the system or framework ispositioned with respect to vehicle 15 so as to align the framework withvertical planes 12 and 19, axis 14 and datum 18. Specifically themidpoints 20, 22 are positioned parallel to datum 18 as well as withinplane 12 parallel to axis 14.

Measurements are made by reading the scales on the various bars whichare fixed with respect to the vehicle 15 as well as the differences inthe distances as measured by movement of the bars or pointers attachedto the movable longitudinal bar 32 and telescoping member 33 and thevarious sliding brackets attached to that movable longitudinal bar 32.

With this general overall description of the construction of themeasuring apparatus, a further description will be provided with respectto each of the component parts.

TRANSVERSE (LATERAL) BARS

Referring to the remaining figures, particularly FIGS. 3 and 9,attention is first directed to the construction of the transverse bars10 and 16 and the associated brackets 24, 26, 28 and 30 which areattached to the bars 10, 16 and which support the bars 10, 16 in agenerally fixed position in space relative to the vehicle 15 beingsupported by the frame straightening equipment 17.

Each bar 10 and 16 is comprised of a pair of extruded aluminum beamshaving the cross sectional shape of an I-beam. Thus beams 86 and 88 eachhaving an I-beam cross sectional shape are arranged in parallel, side byside array with upper flanges 90 and 92 of beams 88, 86 respectively,and lower flanges 94 and 96 of beams 88, 86 respectively, arranged todefine separate planes. The beams 86 and 88 are rigidly held together bya brace or bracket such as bracket 98 thereby defining a slot 100between the beams 86 and 88.

A measuring scale 102 is affixed to the exposed planar surface of theweb 104 which joins the flanges 90 and 94 of beam 88. Thus, in use thescale 102 is aligned to be perpendicular to the vertical plane 12 andthe longitudinal axis 14 so that measurements on the scale 102constitute precise indications of the distance from the vertical plane12 along the bar 10. A scale 107 is also provided on the web 105 of beam86.

TRANSVERSE BAR BRACKET

Inasmuch as all of the brackets 24, 26, 28, 30 have substantially thesame construction and are used in substantially the same manner, onlyone bracket 24 will be described in detail. Thus, referring to FIG. 3,the bracket 24 is adapted to support a transverse bar 10 and cooperatewith planar flanges 90 and 92 of the bar 10. The bracket 24 includes abracket body 106 with a transverse slot 108 extending therethrough. Slot108 defines spaced flanges 110 and 112 which cooperate with flanges 90and 92 respectively so that the body 106 will slidably fit over the bar10. The flanges 90, 92 and 94, 96 are all sized and dimensioned so thatthe body 106 may cooperate with either set of flanges and thus thebracket 24 can be mounted to extend vertically upward or downward tosupport bars 10, 16.

A set screw 114 or similar locking mechanism is utilized to lock thebracket 24 and in particular the body 106 against the flanges such asflange 90 in FIG. 3. Thus, set screw or thumb screw 114 will lock thebracket 24 in a fixed position in the transverse direction or lateraldirection on the bar 10.

Affixed to the body 106 in a bracket hub 116 which projects upwardlyfrom the body 106. The bracket hub 116 includes a central, rectangularcross section passage 118 which receives a longitudinally extendingrectangular cross section slidable rod 120. The rod 120 projectsdownwardly through the passage 118 defined in the body 106 and into theslot 100 between the flanges 90 and 92. The rod 120 has gear teeth alongone side or edge to define a rack which is cooperative with a pinionwhich is retained within the hub 116. The pinion is driven by arotatable knob 122. The rod 120 thus may be projected in a verticaldirection upwardly or downwardly in the slot 100. Scales 121 along oneside of the rod 120 may be utilized to provide a relative measurement ofthe extension of the rod 120 in the passage 118 and thus provide anindication of the position of the transverse or lateral bar 10 relativeto the attachment point of the bracket 24 to a vehicle 15.

The rod 120 cooperates with a hook assembly 126. The hook assemblyincludes a hook 128 which projects vertically upward from a block 130that is attached by a thumb screw arrangement 132 to the rod 120.

The hook 128 is adapted to cooperate with a bracket 134 that includes aseries of parallel openings 136. The bracket 134 is attached to avehicle support clamp 84 and retained on that clamp 84 by bolts 140. Thevehicle support clamp 84 may be of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,344,314 previously referenced. A retaining plate 142 cooperates withthe hook 128 and is threadably attached to the bracket 134 to hold thehook and thus the entire bracket 24 in position with respect to theclamp 84.

The hook 128, because of its ability to cooperate with any of a seriesof slots 136, permits adjustment of the bracket 124 in the x axialdirection or the direction of the longitudinal axis 14. Operation of theknob 122 provides for adjustment of the bracket 124 in the z or verticaldirection. The entire bracket 124 is slidable on the bar 10 to providefor adjustment in the y direction.

In addition to attachment of the hook 128 to a bracket 134 associatedwith a vehicle clamp 84, it is also possible that the hook 128 can beattached directly to a reference point such as a reference opening inthe body of a vehicle 15. Alternatively, the bracket 24 may be attachedto the platform 80 or other part of vehicle straightening equipment 17rather than to a vehicle 15 directly.

Auxiliary Longitudinal Measuring Bars

The additional or auxiliary longitudinal measuring bars 46 and 48 areeach constructed in similar fashion. Thus, the description with respectto one of these bars 46 applies to both bars 46 and 48.

Referring to the figures, the bar 46 includes a generally planar upperflange 144 and a parallel, similarly sized lower flange 146. A pair ofspaced webs 148 and 150 join the flanges 144 and 146 to define agenerally I-beam shaped bar 46. The webs 148 and 150 are, however,spaced one from the other with a cylindrical roller 160 situated at eachend thereof. Thus, a roller 160 is situated at one end of the bar 46.

A closed loop tape 162 with a scale fits over the roller 160 and over anidentical roller at the opposite end of the bar 46. The tape 162 slidesalong a track defined in the web 150. When in use, the tape 162 is movedalong the web 150 to a position which aligns a zero scale setting on thetape 162 with a desired reference point. Measurements may then be takenfrom this zero reference point in either direction along the bar 46 toprovide an indication of the distance between the zero reference pointand other reference points in the x direction or longitudinal direction.

The bar 46 cooperates with a mounting bracket or clamp 50. The clamp 50includes a body 164 which has a transverse slot 166 on one side and alongitudinal slot 168 on its opposite side. The transverse slot 166 isshaped and sized in the same manner as slot 108. Thus, transverse slot166 is designed to cooperate with the flanges 90 and 92 of bar 10. Insimilar fashion, the bracket or clamp 50 is retained by a set screw orthumb screw 167 on the bar 10.

The longitudinal slot 168 is shaped to receive the flange 146 oflongitudinal bar 46. A pair of rotatable clamping members 171, 173 maybe rotated to impinge through the clamp 50 and hold the bar 46 rigidlyin position in the slot 168.

SLIDABLE AND TELESCOPING LONGITUDINAL MEASURING BAR ASSEMBLY

As shown in FIGS. 5-8, the longitudinal measuring bar assembly includesa generally rectangular longitudinal measuring bar 32 and a secondarybar 33 which telescopes from the bar 32. The bar 32 includes alongitudinal slot 170 in one side thereof which connects with a channel175 that receives a sliding plate 172. A sliding plate 172 is providedfor cooperation with each roller bracket 34 and 36. However, thedescription will reference bracket 34 inasmuch as the connection betweenthe bar 32 and each bracket 34, 36 is the same.

Thus, roller bracket 34 includes a depending brace 177 having a rib 176which fits into slot 170. A threaded bolt or rod 178 extends from plate172 through brace 177 and is held by nut 180 to tightly attach the bar32 to the bracket 34.

Bracket 34 is comprised of a body 179 which defines a slot 182 havingspaced flanges 184 and 186. The slot 182 is adapted to receive flanges94 and 96 associated with lateral bar 10. Roller bearings (225, 227,229, 231 in FIGS. 4 and 5) are provided on the inside surface of slot182 so that the interior of the slot 182 can easily slide over theflanges 94, 96 of the bar 10 and also easily move in a directiontransverse to the plane 12 and axis 14. Importantly, the bracket 34 isheld in a sufficiently rigid manner so that the bar 32 maintains itsperpendicular alignment with axis 14 when the bar 32 moves. In thismanner, the entire assembly comprising the bars 32, 33 and the trolleybrackets 34, 36 can move together in unison and in precise parallelalignment with the axis 14.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the longitudinal bar 33 is telescopicallyfitted within a compatible passage 190 defined in the interior of thebar 32. A sliding tape 192 which is dispensed from a storage roll 193 atone end of the bar 32 extends through a center or longitudinal passage192 in the bar 33 and over a roller 194 aligned with an index pointer 40at the forward end of the telescoping bar 33. The tape 191 then connectsthrough a slot 198 to a second pointer 38 which is slidably attached tothe bar 32. Thus, the free end of tape 19 is attached to the pointer 38.In operation the pointer 38 is aligned with a desired reference point onthe vehicle 15 to thereby establish a zero reference point. The secondreference pointer 40 is then positioned by movement of bar 33. Thedistance between the points 38, 40 associated with the bars 32, 33 isthen directly read from tape 191. Note pointer 38 is adjustably mountedfor vertical movement in a bracket 39 attached to bar 32. Pointer 38includes scales to measure the position of a reference point relative toa datum plane 18. Additionally, the pointer 38 may be aligned with apoint associated with a plane 19. The forward pointer 40 mounted in apivotal or rotatable bracket 41 may then be aligned with a desiredreference point by sliding movement of telescoping bar 33, pivotalmovement of pointer 40 in bracket 41, transverse movement of bar 32, andextension of pointer 40 in bracket 40. The deviation of the forwardpointer 40 can then be determined by reference to the scales on tape191, tapes 102, 107 and pointer 40. The scale measurement on tape 191may represent the distance from a point or from some reference plane 19.The measurement on tape 102 for example will be indicated by a pointer103 in FIG. 4 attached to the middle of body 179 of bracket 34. Thismeasurement represents the distance from plane 12 or axis 14.

In sum, movement of the bar 32 on bars 10, 16 and movement of thepointer 40 by extension of bar 33 as well as pointer 38 by sliding onbar 32 permits point to point measurement, and plane to pointmeasurement of all reference points at the lower frame or under body ofa vehicle 15. Importantly these measurements can be made easily andquickly once the framework is initially "set" with respect to knownpoints of the vehicle. That is, certain reference points of the vehiclewhich is to be repaired are known or presumed to be associated withundamaged portions of the vehicle 15. The framework is initiallyattached to the vehicle 15 and aligned with respect to these knownreference points. Then all other points on the vehicle can be measuredto determine their deviation from proper position, and the vehicle canbe repaired by the equipment 17 merely by eliminating the measureddeviations.

SUPPLEMENTAL MEASURING APPARATUS

Supplemental measuring apparatus may be mounted on any of the bars formeasuring positions of reference points on a vehicle 15. Of particularutility is the supplemental apparatus which comprises a verticalmeasuring bar 58 having a slidable clamp or plate 60 at the basethereof. The slidable clamp or plate 60 includes a slot 65 compatiblewith the flange construction previously described for longitudinal fixedbars 46, 48. The vertical plate or bar 58 includes scales thereon formeasuring a distance from a datum plane 18 associated with thetransverse bars 10 and 16 and a point on the vehicle 82. Pointerconstructions, such as pointer rod 64, slidably cooperate with thevertical measuring bar 58. Pointer rods may be clamped and moved tovarious positions to further locate reference points and to specificallymeasure those reference points, for example on opposite sides of avehicle relative to each other or with respect to information providedin standard reference repair books.

The upper body measurements of the vehicle may be taken by utilizationof vertical measuring bars in cooperation with a transverse rod or bar70 which is attached by clamps 77, 74 to the vertical measuring bars 66,68. Again, all of the measuring bars include scales thereon tofacilitate measurement. All of the various measuring bars include clampswhich are adaptable to receive pointers and measuring rods to indicatethe distance of points relative to known positions, i.e. points orplanes.

VARIATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION

As previously disclosed, it is possible to device any of a number oftypes of brackets or clamps for attachment of the transverse bars to avehicle, to a platform for the vehicle or to clamps supporting thevehicle. It is also possible to alter the construction of the measuringapparatus by mounting the slidable brackets or trolley brackets on topof the transverse members 10 and 16. Additional brackets and pointersmay be provided on the longitudinal measuring bars 32, 33. The forwardpointer 40 of the longitudinal bar assembly as shown in FIG. 5 asdescribed may be rotatable with respect to the longitudinal axis 14. Inthis way, straight line distances from a particular reference point aswell as a plane can be easily established.

METHOD OF OPERATION

When operating the measuring system of the present invention, initiallythe transverse bars 10 and 16 are affixed in space with respect toreference points and planes of a vehicle which are known not to bedamaged. For example, various reference points at the rear end of thevehicle may be undamaged and may be in appropriate position. Transversebars 10, 16 are maintained by attachment with brackets, eg. 24, andclamps, eg. 84, to establish a generally horizontal datum base 18 fromwhich measurements may be taken vertically upward to additionalreference points on the vehicle. When determining these referencepoints, their location and dimension, reference to standardmanufacturers reference pulbications on the subject is utilized.

As a next or subsequent step, the longitudinal bar assembly 32, 33 whichis slidably mounted on the transverse bars 10, 16 is arranged in properposition. This longitudinal bar assembly 32, 33 can be utilized tomeasure a number of points on the vehicle. Before the longitudinal barassembly 32, 33 is utilized, however, it is recommended that thesupplemental or additional longitudinal bars 46, 48 be attached to thetransverse bars 10, 16 in order to improve the structural integrity ofthe measuring system. These bars 46, 48 should provide for a rectangularframework upon which the slidable longitudinal bar assembly 32, 33 willmove. The various other supplemental components including the upper bodycomponents may then be added or removed from the framework as needed inorder to measure the various reference points on the vehicle and tocompare reference points on opposite sides of the vertical plane 12.

Thus, while there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of theinvention, the invention is to be limited only by the following claimsand their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. Improved apparatus for measuring the location ofselected reference points on a vehicle relative to other selectedreference points on a vehicle or reference planes associated with saidvehicle, said vehicle of the type having a longitudinal axis extendingfrom the front to the back of the vehicle, said apparatus comprising, incombination:a first transverse bar member; means for fixing the firstbar member to the vehicle substantially transverse to the longitudinalaxis of the vehicle; a second transverse bar member; means for fixingthe second bar member to the vehicle substantially transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the vehicle, parallel to and spaced generallyhorizontally from the first bar member in a common, generally horizontalplane; a longitudinally extending measuring bar positioned to extendgenerally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle andperpendicular to the first and second transverse bar members; mountingmeans for slidably mounting the measuring bar simultaneously on bothtransverse members, said mounting means including means for maintainingthe measuring bar continuously movable and slidable as a unit toward andaway from the longitudinal axis while remaining at all timessubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and generallyperpendicular to the transverse members to define a rigid framework;first means for measuring the position of the measuring bar in thetransverse direction relative to a known point on both of the transversebar members; longitudinal direction position indication means affixed tothe measuring bar; and second means on the measuring bar for measuringthe position of the longitudinal direction position indication means inthe longitudinal axis direction relative to an arbitrary point on themeasuring bar, whereby the position indication means may be aligned withany of a number of specific reference points of a vehicle to measure theposition of reference points relative to the longitudinal axis of thevehicle, said second means for measuring including a first elementslidably mounted on the longitudinal measuring bar, a second elementalso mounted on the longitudinal measuring bar, and a measuring scalefor indicating the magnitude of spacing of the elements.
 2. Improvedapparatus for measuring the location of selected reference points on avehicle relative to other selected reference points on a vehicle orreference planes associated with said vehicle, said vehicle of the typehaving a longitudinal axis extending from the front to the back of thevehicle, said apparatus comprising, in combination:a first transversebar member; means for fixing the first bar member to the vehiclesubstantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle; asecond transverse bar member; means for fixing the second bar member tothe vehicle substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of thevehicle, parallel to and spaced generally horizontally from the firstbar member in a common, generally horizontal plane; a longitudinallyextending measuring bar positioned to extend generally parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the vehicle and perpendicular to the first andsecond transverse bar members; mounting means for slidably mounting themeasuring bar simultaneously on both transverse members, said mountingmeans including means for maintaining the measuring bar continuouslymovable and slidable as a unit toward and away from the longitudinalaxis while remaining at all time substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis and generally perpendicular to the transverse membersto define a rigid framework; first means for measuring the position ofthe measuring bar in the transverse direction relative to a known pointon both of the transverse base members; longitudinal direction positionindication means affixed to the measuring bar; second means on themeasuring bar for measuring the position of the longitudinal directionposition indication means in the longitudinal axis direction relative toan arbitrary point on the measuring bar, whereby the position indicationmeans may be aligned with any of a number of specific reference pointsof a vehicle to measure the position of reference points relative to thelongitudinal axis of the vehicle, and means connecting the transversebar members with at least one additional longitudinal bar member todefine a generally rectangular frame.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the transverse bars extend laterally from the longitudinal axisa distance equal to or greater than the lateral extension of a vehiclebeing measured by the apparatus.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein themeasuring scale comprises a slidable tape fastened to the first elementand slidable with respect to the second element.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 including alignment pins in said transverse bar members.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the measuring bar includes a firstlongitudinal member telescopically and slidably receives a secondlongitudinal member and including indicating means for measuring thetelescoped position of the second longitudinal member relative to thefirst member.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the indicating meanscomprising a coiled tape measure with the end thereof extending from thefirst longitudinal member around a fixed point on the secondlongitudinal member and attached to the first member to form a loopwhich extends or retracts in response to telescopic extension orretraction of the second longitudinal member relative to the firstmember.